Parishioners at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral asked to pray for George Pell

By Aisha Dow

Updated2 July 2017 — 1:44pmfirst published at 12:36pm

As about 150 parishioners filed into St Patrick's Cathedral, the home of the Catholic Church in Melbourne, one question was on everyone's mind: Would the historical sex abuse charges laid against Cardinal George Pell be addressed?

The charges were mentioned directly, while other things were said that perhaps also carried a message about Cardinal Pell and his upcoming court battle.

Sunday's Mass was dedicated to Cardinal Pell, who continues to assert his innocence against charges of historical sex abuse.

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About 150 people attended Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday.Credit:Luis Ascui

Priest in Residence, the Reverend Aurelio Fragapane​, said "this Mass is being offered for Cardinal Pell on his protection".

"We continue to pray for him and the church at this time. Let us pray to the Lord," Reverend Fragapane said.

It was harder to tell if the rest of the sermon had any relevance to the latest scandal facing the church, as the green-robed priest moved between stories of him unsuccessfully riding a bike in Southbank and a recent visit to the dentist.

But the anecdotes seemed to gather together towards some central messages.

A priest at St Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday.Credit:Luis Ascui

"As Jesus was unjustly condemned and accused of things – that [also] happens to us," the reverend said.

"Perhaps that is a good sign that God has chosen us and considered us worthy to be his disciples that we are able to enter into that sacrifice."

It was the church newsletter that carried the most direct statement about the Cardinal Pell charges, under a bold headline on the bottom of the first page.

"Archbishop Denis Hart is aware of the significance of the decision to charge Cardinal Pell," a statement issued by the media and communications office read.

"Cardinal Pell has been a friend and brother priest of Archbishop Hart for more than 50 years. The Archbishop is conscious of the Cardinal's many good works which have been acknowledged both nationally and internationally.

"It is a matter of public record that Cardinal Pell addressed the evil of sexual abuse in the church on becoming Archbishop of Melbourne in 1996.

"It is important all in society recognise that the presumption of innocence applies and that Cardinal Pell like all Australians is entitled to a fair trial.

"In the interests of fairness and due process Archbishop Hart will not be commenting further."

Following the 9.30am Mass, parishioners exiting the cathedral were peppered with questions by television crews. Many were happy to stop and talk.

Denise Sheehan said she had prayed for Cardinal Pell during Mass. She said her faith and relationship with God would not be moved by the result of the court proceedings.

"I believe no human is ever perfect. Just because someone has a high job doesn't mean he is going to be perfect," she said.

"I prayed to give him strength and prayed that justice would take its course. They didn't specify [what we were praying for] but for me I just prayed that the right thing would come out."

Cardinal Pell has promised to return home to Australia from the Vatican where the 76-year-old is responsible for the church's finances. He is due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 26 for a filing hearing.

On the weekend it emerged Pope Francis had sacked the head of the Vatican office that handles sex abuse cases. Pope Francis on Saturday declined to renew the mandate of German cardinal Gerhard Mueller as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican office that processes and evaluates all cases of priests accused of raping or molesting minors.

Meanwhile, there are reports that supporters of George Pell have set up a fund to help the cardinal fight the charges, as the Catholic Church said it would not pay the 76-year-old's legal fees.